2017 Tesla Model X Problems

Severe Issues

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2017 Tesla Model X. Part of Generation 1 — 2015–2020.

20162018
Complaints
416
per 10K Sold
192.6
US Sales
21,600
Crashes
38
Fires
1
Injuries
65
Fatalities
56
Recalls
10

Worst 2017 Tesla Model X Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#171 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:31,946 mi
Crash-related:2
#259 complaints

Suspension Failures

Avg mileage:24,373 mi
Crash-related:6
#348 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:31,164 mi
Crash-related:2
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2017 Tesla Model X.

Electrical Faults
71
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
31,946
Suspension Failures
59
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
24,373
Steering Defects
48
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
31,164
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
22
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
53
Brakes
17
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
52,500
Unintended Acceleration
16
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
5,905
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
15
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
53
Headlight/Taillight Failures
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
33,541
Fuel System
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
33,126
Transmission / Drivetrain
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
51,353
Body Structure
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
22,138
Wipers & Visibility
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
41,749
Airbags
8
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
1,568
Lane Departure: Assist
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
10,666
Seat Belt Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
1,000
Engine Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
8,553
Backup Camera
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Warning
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Electrical:Infotainment:Video (Touch)Screen/Monitor/Unit
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Camera System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2017 Tesla Model X. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2017 Tesla Model X

10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,990,040 vehicles.

24V376000Seat Belts:front:warning Light/devices
~125,233 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

24V051000Instrument Cluster
~2,193,869 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

23V838000Electrical System:adas:driver Monitoring:software
~2,031,220 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.

23V085000Steering:automated/adaptive Steering
~362,758 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation.  The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.

22V818000Steering:electric Power Assist System
~40,168 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electronic power assist steering (EPAS) system may experience a loss of power steering assist when driving on rough roads or after hitting a pothole.

22V037000Steering:automated/adaptive Steering
~53,822 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.

21V846000Forward Collision Avoidance: Sensing System: Camera · Forward Collision Avoidance:software · Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
~11,728 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.

21V035000Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal · Back Over Prevention:software
~134,951 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Tesla Model S and 2016-2018 Model X vehicles with a center display equipped with a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor and an 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device. When the 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device for the center display reaches lifetime wear, the eMMC controller will no longer be able to maintain the integrity of the filesystem, causing a failure in some of the center display functions.

17V639000Seats:mid/rear Assembly
~4,582 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Model X vehicles. The left-side, second row, reclining seat backs may not fully latch due to having incorrectly adjusted recliner mechanism cables. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

17V260000Parking Brake
~31,709 affected

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016 Model S and Model X vehicles. The electric parking brake calipers have an internal gear that may be improperly manufactured, possibly resulting in the gear fracturing during parking brake application or release.

Other Tesla Model X Years

2017 Tesla Model X — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2017 Tesla Model X reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 2017 Tesla Model X has 416 NHTSA complaints, 38 crash-related, and 10 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 71 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2017 Tesla Model X?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (71 complaints, avg 31,946 mi); Suspension Failures (59 complaints, avg 24,373 mi); Steering Defects (48 complaints, avg 31,164 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2017 Tesla Model X?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 25,038 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2017 Tesla Model X?
NHTSA complaints for the 2017 Tesla Model X include 38 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 65 injuries, and 56 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2017 Tesla Model X have any recalls?
Yes — 10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,990,040 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2017 Tesla Model X?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 2017 Tesla Model X shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Tesla Model X reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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